Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Conservative Ad Backfires

When the dust settles, I suspect the controversial Conservative attack ads see little air time, they quietly go away. We can debate the effectiveness of attack ads in general, but this particular attack directed towards Trudeau has clearly turned into an optical failure. There are certain practical indicators that trump opinion, when trying to ascertain just how an attack ad is resonating. I submit this overwhelming response as proof positive this Conservative ad is blowing up in their low rent face:

Conservative attack ads against Justin Trudeau have turned into a financial boon for the Liberal party.

The party raised $336,000 in the 48 hours following Trudeau's landslide victory in the Liberal leadership race Sunday.

Officials say that's more than double the party's previous top haul for an e-mail fundraising campaign.

They say the donations poured in after two back-to-back mass email solicitations that urged Liberals to fight back against Conservative attacks.

The first, sent out just as Trudeau was leaving the stage Sunday after delivering his acceptance speech, urged Liberals not to let the coming barrage of "negative and misleading attacks" drown out the new leader's "positive message of change."

The second was issued Monday evening — shortly after the Conservatives launched three television ads featuring video from 2011 of Trudeau doing a mock strip-tease for a charity event.

A staggering number by any definition, this particular attack clearly hit a nerve and motivated people to donate(myself included). As stated, the response was double any previous mass email, a testament to the almost visceral reaction. As well, perhaps some indication that the Trudeau "army" assembled during the leadership process is still engaged, something to monitor moving forward.

I would argue this large figure be put towards a positive counter message. If Trudeau's handlers are choosing a positive approach, no greater contrast opportunity.

Things are changing, there is nothing more concrete than CASH. Well done Conservative headquarters, well done indeed.

UPDATE

As of this morning LPC reports four hundred and eight thousand raised.

40 yrs old. 2 kids, good job. Politically aware but never active (outside of voting). Signed up as a supporter for the Lib party. Voted. Just donated $20 after the appeal from said party in response to the PC attack ads. First time I'ver ever donated to a political party....Prolly not the last.